MURRIETA: School pays respects to slain student

"She was so sweet," Perez said. "She never gave anyone a hard
time or talked bad about anybody."

Perez was with Devon Choate, 17, who was on the swim team with
Connor for two years.

"He's a good kid. He's in ROTC and always works hard," Choate
said. "I still can't believe this happened."

Jefferson said that because the tragedy occurred over the break,
a lot of students didn't know where to turn for solace and
counseling.

"It's a difficult time, because we're not here," she said.

Counselors will be available on campus again starting Jan. 4,
when workers return from winter break. Classes resume Jan. 9.

Jefferson said she would talk with the Burke family and probably
hold a memorial at the school after classes resume.

"It's just the saddest thing," she said. "It's their senior
year, they should be happy and thinking about their future. For a
student to lose their life in such a horrific way, it rips your
heart out."

Perez said Saskia's death sends a message to other teens.

"Live every day like it's your last," she said. "You shouldn't
take life for granted."

Murrieta police ask anyone who may have seen Simpson to call
Detective Sgt. Phil Gomez at 951-461-6356.